My reading tastes in 2025 can be summed up with– awesome covers, badass FMCs (extra points for lady knights), and MMCs who would literally SACRIFICE THEMSELVES for their lovers. That’s it. That’s all I’m asking for.

Soooo, that being said, there’s the blurb from Amazon for The Second Death of Locke:

Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice.
 
Grey Flynn has dedicated her life to her mage, Kier. She will be his blade on the battlefield, his healer and protector. The deep well of raw power inside her is Kier’s to wield. They are bound together by blood and magic, but there is one truth Grey dare not reveal . . . not even to Kier.

When a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom pulls them into a dangerous mission, Grey will need to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to protect her secret.

For Grey is no ordinary magical well, and if she dies, all magic dies with her.

Gorgeous cover? Check

Badass FMC? Check

MMC who would literally sacrifice himself for his lover? OMG yes! CHECK!

I went into this book only reading the blurb and being entranced by the cover, I hadn’t read this author before. I opened it as soon as it hit my Kindle, setting aside whatever I was reading at the time. I’m being completely honest when I tell you I was absolutely absorbed right from the first page.

A decade ago, The Isle of Locke was attacked and destroyed, disappearing into the sea, its heirs hunted down and killed, but rumors say one last heir is still alive. Locke is the origin of all magic in Idistra, the heir the well that funnels the magic of the land to their mages, who direct the magic. The decimation of Locke means no more wells will be born. Existing wells and mages are now extremely important, especially after war breaks out between rival nations.

Grey Flynn and Kiernan Seward have known each other since they were children. The closest friends and confidants. Now they fight together as well and mage in Eprain’s war. Grey is the well that supplies magic to Kier, who wields it against their enemies in battle. But she is also his healer, and protector and oldest friend. Their dedication and loyalty toward one another is steadfast and true. Immediately from the first chapter you can tell that these two are tightly woven together in all ways.

They are tasked by their commander with protecting a child who claims to be the lost heir of Locke and transporting her through enemy territory to safety. The only problem is that Grey knows this child isn’t the heir. She knows because Grey herself is the heir, and this dangerous mission just might mean her death– and the end to all magic.

I have long said that second chance and friends to lovers is two of my favorite tropes, because I adore an established relationship that blossoms as the book progresses into a deep and abiding love. When the book opens Grey and Kier are already a tight unit who have been through thick and thin with each other. They know things about each other that no one else knows. Their familiarity with each other shines through immediately. Their loyalty and dedication is obvious. But as the book progresses readers also begin to understand that there is also a deep yearning between them. Each of them wanting something more, but afraid to take the next step.

This book is achingly romantic, full of love, loyalty, sacrifice, and trust. It’s also heavy with brutal scenes of war and death. The worldbuilding is stunning and the magic system and its origin original. I felt like I was transported back to a medieval time that was sprinkled with power and magic. This author intricately builds her cast of characters, and I began to deeply care about each person who traveled the dangerous path and fought alongside our main characters. There is also an exploration of grief, as Grey remembers what happened the night Locke fell. The ending offers both closure, but also hints at what is to come later in the trilogy.

This book will 100% be on my favorites list at the end of the year. It’s superbly written, endlessly romantic, and left me wanting to shout out to anyone who would listen that they need to add it to their TBR.

Grade- A